"The United States shipped more coal into the global seaborne market last year than ever before -- crushing the previous record of 113 million short tons set back in 1981 -- with 2012 exports reaching 124 million tons. Over the trailing three years, total export volume promptly doubled! Such an astounding growth rate will not be sustained, and 2013 exports will likely see some pullback as domestic consumption rebounds slightly. But those bullish global demand forecasts do bode well for the underlying growth trend over the longer term."